Creamy Fennel and White Bean Soup

2 white bowls of creamy fennel and white bean soup garnished with rosemary and bacon. A cutting board with sliced bread, 2 spoons, and a sprig of fresh rosemary are in the background.

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4.41 from 22 votes

A rich, creamy, and flavorful fennel soup that's so quick and easy to make

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Diet: Lower Carb, Heart Healthy, Vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 347kcal

Author: Anne Danahy, RD

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions diced
1 large fennel bulb trimmed and diced
5 medium garlic cloves minced
5 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
45 ounces cans white cannellini beans (divided) 3 cans drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
sea salt to taste
croutons, crumbled bacon, or roasted pumpkin seeds optional garnishes

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and fennel and cook for about 9 minutes until they are softened and turn golden. Add the garlic and saute for another minute.
Add the chicken stock, about ⅔ of the rinsed beans, the fennel seeds, thyme, and rosemary sprig. Turn the heat up to high and bring the soup to a boil. Then, cover it and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the soup simmer for about 20 minutes.
Remove the rosemary sprig.
Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until it's fairly smooth and creamy. Add the remaining beans, and salt to taste. Cook the soup for another 5 minutes or until it's heated through.
Alternatively, blend the soup in a regular blender in small batches.
If desired, serve the soup topped with croutons, crumbled bacon bits, or toasted pumpkin seeds.

Notes

This recipe is adapted from 177 Milk Street.

Keep leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Once cut, fennel oxidizes and turns brown quickly. Dice your fennel just before using it or keep it in water mixed with some lemon juice as described in the post above.

Nutrition